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Make's 'tree' chopped in Big Lottery loss

Make Architects’ Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre in Nottinghamshire has officially been dropped after missing out on vital Big Lottery funding last Wednesday (12 December).

Moxon and Knight Architects’ Strata scheme, which aimed to transform a network of mines in the West Midlands into a tourist attraction, and Grimshaw’s Eden project extension, The Edge, were the other schemes which were denied cash and are now hanging in the balance.

Make’s tree-like scheme was one of four projects vying for the Big Lottery Fund’s £50 million giveaway, but was pipped in an ITV vote by charity Sustrans’ Connect 2 scheme, which aims to create new cycling and walking routes across the UK.

A Nottingham City Council spokesman said: ‘The tree will not be built. It is a great shame but without the Lottery money there is no way we could afford such a spectacular project.

‘We will now be going after other pots of Lottery cash,’ she added. ‘The visitor centre that is there now will have to be replaced, but it won’t be with the Make scheme. Make always knew that the project would only go forward if we got the cash.’

The future of Moxon and Knight Architects’ project – part of the Black Country Urban Park bid – is unclear.

Practice partner Martin Knight said: ‘The decision is obviously very disappointing and we will have to what and see what the future will be.

Grimshaw’s scheme was one of the most high-profile projects bidding for the £50 million, but is now in doubt following Sustrans’ surprise win.

The Edge chief executive Tim Smit, said: ‘I would be lying if I didn’t say we are disappointed, you don’t work for two years on something you don’t care about, do you?’

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